Heloise: Flower photo makes a good thank-you

Hints from Heloise

Published 5:30 am, Monday, July 7, 2008

Dear Heloise:
When I receive a lovely floral arrangement, I take a picture of it to give to the sender. Then I buy the exact silk flowers and replicate the arrangement.

SAVANNAHin Huntsville, Ala.

Lovely idea! We received a letter from JoAnn Gregoire of Sacramento, Calif. She says: "I had a lovely plant of yellow mums delivered to me from my cousin for my birthday. When I called to thank my cousin for the lovely plant, she said, 'I knew spider mums were your favorite.' The plant delivered to me was not the spider mum she had paid for. A call was made to her florist, and plants were exchanged. Sending a picture of flowers you receive is a perfect way to say thank you and to ensure that the sender got what he or she paid for."

This letter got us doing some research. What happens if you experience a problem with a floral order?

Flowers usually are guaranteed for seven days, while plants have a 30-day guarantee. Call or contact the company within this period.

Under normal circumstances, florists will work with you to rectify the problem: offer a full or partial refund, resend an order or offer a discount.

Local florists are allowed to substitute flowers of different colors if they are of equal value.